Clothing fasteners

ABSTRACT

Improved clothing fasteners include a socket having a female member with a flange member having a magnetic element, and a slot and a stud having a male member with a flange element having a magnetic element. Magnetic attraction between the magnetic elements draws the female and male members to close proximity such that an applied force on an outer portion of either the socket and the stud and their corresponding outer base portions allows for a snap fit between the male and female members. In an alternative embodiment, one of either the socket female flange member or the stud male flange member includes a magnetic element and the other is of a metallic material, and a magnetic attraction draws the socket and the stud in close proximity such that a snap fit is allowable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field relates to improvements in cuff links and related clothing ware.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Clothing fasteners such as cuff links are known in the art, but have been plagued by the difficulty of use.

For example, GB 606,591, discloses a snap action fastener in which two fastener elements are joined by forcing a wedge shaped stud through an opening until head portions are in a juxtaposed abutting position, and one of the fastener elements will snap into position behind a bulged portion of the stud. However, the fastener elements are separated by pulling them apart and a spring segment of one fastener element will have to be spread apart to permit withdrawal of the stud. These features may be difficult to use for some individuals. U.S. Pat. No. 1,346,039, describes a similar snap-type fastener.

Ausman, in U.S. Patent No. 2006/0236509, recognizes the difficulty of using snap-type fasteners for cuff-links and attempts to solve the problem of fastening cuff links by using magnetic clasp members. Ausman distinguishes the related art by noting that the previous magnetic closures did not have the male-female portion of the snap closure pass through the supporting fabric. In addition, the magnets of Ausman do not bind to one another through the supporting fabric. However, this fastener mainly employs the magnet as the primary means of allowing the magnetic clasp members of binding to each other. In addition, the use of elongated members may make the cuff links difficult to attach and to pass through layers of clothing. There needs to be a simpler and easier to use cuff link attachment mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A clothing fastener comprises: a socket comprising: a female member having at least one female flange member and a slot; a socket magnetic element disposed on the female flange member; an outer socket member having an outer socket base portion and coupled to the female member; and a stud comprising: a male member having a male flange member disposed on the male member; the male flange member having a stud magnetic element; and a outer stud member having an outer stud base portion and being coupled to the male member, wherein an initial magnetic attraction between the socket and stud magnetic elements draws the female and male members in close proximity such that an applied force on either the outer socket member or the outer stud member and a corresponding outer base portion allows for a snap-fit between the male and female members through the slot. In another example, an applied force on either the outer socket member or outer stud member allows for a snap-fit. Alternatively, an applied force on either of the base portions allows for a snap fit. In yet another example, applied forces on both the outer socket member and the outer stud member and a corresponding base portion allows for a snap fit.

In another embodiment, the socket female flange member has a magnetic element and the stud is of a metallic material, for example. An initial magnetic attraction between the magnetic element on the socket and the metallic stud draws the socket and the stud in close proximity such that an applied force, on either the outer socket member or the outer stud member and a corresponding base portion allows for a snap fit through the slot. Alternatively, the male flange member has a magnetic element and the socket is of a metallic material. Like the previous embodiment, other variations on the application of a force is allowable.

In one embodiment, the outer socket member is directly coupled to the female member and the outer stud member is directly coupled to the male member. In other embodiments, a respective portion couples an outer member to the female or male member.

In another embodiment, an outer base portion of either the socket or stud or both may include a decorative image or element, such as an ornament, for example.

In another embodiment, an outer base portion of either the socket or stud or both may include a rimmed decorative element on an interior or an exterior portion of the respective base portion. Other shapes or sizes of the decorative element may also be allowed.

One unexpected advantage is that a user can handle two cuff-link components with one hand and be able to pass them through layers of fabrics in different button holes, unlike previous fasteners.

Another unexpected advantage is that an initial magnetic force aids in drawing the male and female members together such that it is easier to snap-fit the members together.

Yet another unique advantage is that the clothing fasteners, such as cuff-links, may be fastened together before wearing a shirt or other suitable dress ware.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of the clothing fastener.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the connecting of the respective components of the clothing fastener.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a base portion of the clothing fastener.

FIG. 4 shows an example of an ornament displayed on the clothing fastener.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the clothing fastener.

FIG. 6 depicts another example of the connecting of the respective components of the clothing fastener.

FIG. 7 shows another example of a base portion of the clothing fastener.

FIG. 8 depicts an example of an ornament displayed on the clothing fastener.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the clothing fastener.

FIG. 10 shows another example of the connecting of the respective components of the clothing fastener.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a base portion of the clothing fastener.

FIG. 12 depicts an example of an ornament.

FIG. 13 depicts another embodiment of the clothing fastener.

FIG. 14 shows another embodiment of the clothing fastener.

FIG. 15 depicts another embodiment of the clothing fastener.

FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional view of a female flange member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The examples and drawings provided in the detailed description are merely examples, which should not be used to limit the scope of the claims in any claim construction or interpretation.

In FIG. 1, cuff links include a socket 10 and a stud 20. The socket 10 includes a female member 3, an outer socket member 5, with the female member 3 coupled to the outer socket member 5 by a socket portion 17. The female member 3 includes two female flange members 13 and 15 and a slot 100. In this example, two female flange members 13 and 15 are separated by a slot 100, but other variations are allowable. The female member, in this example, includes an area that extends from the socket portion 17 to the two female flange members 13 and 15. Other variations in the size and shape of the female member are allowable. In an alternative embodiment, the female member 3 comprises a single flange member, which may be circular in shape, for example. Such an embodiment is also applicable to the examples depicted in FIG. 5, FIG. 9, and alternative embodiments. Other geometric shapes may also be realized. Examples of a female flange member comprising a single flange member are depicted in FIGS. 15 and 16.

Magnetic element 1 disposed on female flange member 13 is capable of attracting a corresponding magnetic element 2 of stud 20, with opposite polarity. In an alternative embodiment, a magnetic element may instead be disposed on female flange member 15. In yet another embodiment, both female flange members 13 and 15 may together have magnetic elements.

The stud 20 includes a male member 4, a male flange member 14 and the male member is coupled to outer stud member 6 by a stud portion 16. The male flange member 14 includes a magnetic element 2. The male member includes an area that extends up to the stud portion 16. Outer stud member 6 includes an outer stud base portion 7, depicted in FIG. 3. Outer socket member 5 also includes an outer socket base portion (not depicted). Socket portion 17 and stud portion 16, although depicted larger than their respective outer members 5 and 6, may be smaller or the same size as the respective outer members. They may also differ in shape as well. Alternatively, the outer members may be larger in size or shape than the respective socket and stud portions.

In yet another embodiment, the male flange member may have other magnetic elements in addition to magnetic element 2.

Once the socket 10 and stud 20 are brought into close proximity, magnetic elements 1 and 2 are attracted to each other. Then, in one example, a press by a person's fingers on outer stud member 6 and outer stud base portion 7 activates a snap mechanism, where the male member 4 is locked into female member 3 for secure closure through the slot, as depicted in FIG. 2. In alternative example, a press on outer socket member 5 and outer socket member and its respective base portion (not depicted) activates the snap-on-mechanism. Mechanisms other than snap-on-mechanism are also contemplated.

In FIG. 4, each of the respective outer member base portions of the stud or socket such as outer stud base portion 7 may have a respective ornament 8. Ornament 8 may be finished directly on the outer stud base portion 7 or applied over the outer stud base portion.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment. In this embodiment, cuff links include socket 30 and stud 40. Socket 30 includes a female member 33 directly coupled to outer socket member 35. However, no socket portion is present, unlike the example depicted in FIG. 1. In addition, female member 33 includes two flange members 43 and 45 and a slot 200. In this example, the female flange members are separated by a slot but other variations are allowable. Flange member 43 includes a magnetic element 31. The male member 44 of stud 40 has a male flange member 54, with a magnetic element 42 disposed on flange member 54. The male member 44 is directly coupled to outer stud member 46, with no stud portion present.

Similarly to FIG. 2, the mechanism shown in FIG. 6 utilizes an initial magnetic attraction, followed by a snap mechanism.

In FIG. 7, outer stud base portion 47 is shown.

FIG. 8 shows that an outer stud base portion 47 may have a corresponding ornament 48. Ornament 48 may be finished directly on the outer stud base portion 47 or applied over the outer stud base portion.

In FIG. 9, another embodiment is depicted. Socket 60 includes a female member 63 coupled to an outer socket member 65, again with no socket portion present. However, outer socket member 65 includes a decorative rimmed member 67. The female member 63 includes two flange members 73 and 75 with a magnetic element 61 disposed on female flange member 73, and a slot 300.

Stud 70 has a male member 74 capped by a male flange member 84. Male flange member 84 includes a magnetic element 72. Male member 74 is directly coupled to outer stud member 76, with no stud portion present. Outer stud member 76 also includes a decorated rimmed member 87, for example. Decorative rimmed members may be on an exterior portion or an interior portion of the outer stud base portion 77, or both, as shown in FIG. 12. This similar positioning of decorative rimmed members may also occur in the outer socket member portion.

Similarly to FIGS. 2 and 6, an assembled mechanism is depicted in FIG. 10.

In FIG. 11, outer stud base portion 77 is shown.

In FIG. 12, an ornament 78 is shown on a top portion of base member of a stud and a socket. Designs shown in FIGS. 4, 8 and 12 are merely examples, as the designs may vary in size, shape, color, or material, for example.

In FIG. 13, in another embodiment of the clothing fastener, a clothing fastener is depicted similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1, but instead has only one magnetic element 81 on the socket and the stud 20 is of a metallic material for example. Two female flange members are depicted but a single female flange member is also allowable. Other materials other than metallic material may be used for the stud so long as a magnetic attraction to the magnetic element is allowable. Magnetic attraction between the magnetic element 81 and the metallic stud 20 draws the socket and stud in close proximity. Then an applied force on an outer socket member or an outer stud member and a corresponding base portion allows for a snap fit. Embodiments of FIG. 5 and FIG. 9 may also have this arrangement with the magnetic element being only on the socket.

In FIG. 14, in another embodiment of the clothing fastener, a clothing fastener is depicted similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1, but instead has only one magnetic element 82 on the stud and the socket 10 is of a metallic material for example. Two female flange members are depicted but a single female flange member is allowable. Other materials other than metallic material may be used for the socket so long as a magnetic attraction to the magnetic element is allowable. Magnetic attraction between the magnetic element 82 and the metallic socket 10 draws the socket and stud in close proximity. Then an applied force on an outer socket member or an outer stud member and a corresponding base portion allows for a snap fit Embodiments of FIG. 5 and FIG. 9 may also have this arrangement with the magnetic element being only on the stud.

In FIG. 15, the clothing fastener is similar to the embodiment in FIG. 1 but the female member 3 includes a single flange member 91. The female flange member 3 includes a slot 400 for snapping onto the male member.

In FIG. 16, a cross-sectional view of a single flange member 91 is shown. Female flange member 91 containing a magnetic element has a slot 400 that is adapted to receive a corresponding male member 4, for example. Alternatively, only one of the male and female members includes a magnetic element. Other variations such as the example depicted in FIG. 14 are allowable. In the example of FIG. 1, by contrast, two female flange members are separated by a slot 100, for receiving the corresponding male member, in order to have a snap-fit.

Cuff-links are one example of a clothing fastener but the mechanisms described may also be used in other types of clothing fasteners. Variations of the clothing fastener may be used in articles other than clothing, and the examples are not limited to clothing articles. Alternative combinations and variations of the examples provided will become apparent based on this disclosure. It is not possible to provide specific examples for all of the many possible combinations and variations of the embodiments described, but such combinations and variations may be claims that eventually issue. 

1. A clothing fastener comprising: a socket comprising: a female member having at least one female flange member and a slot; and an outer socket member coupled to the female member, wherein the at least one female flange member has a socket magnetic element and the outer socket member includes an outer socket base portion; and a stud comprising: a male member having a male flange member disposed on the male member; the male flange member having at least one stud magnetic element; and an outer stud member coupled to the male member, the outer stud member including an outer stud base portion, wherein an initial magnetic attraction between the socket magnetic element and the stud magnetic element draws the at least one female flange member and the male member in close proximity such that an applied force on either the outer socket member or the outer stud member and a corresponding outer base portion allows for a snap fit between the male member and the at least one female flange member of the female member through the slot.
 2. The clothing fastener of claim 1, wherein the female member has an additional female flange member in addition to the at least one female flange member.
 3. The clothing fastener of claim 2, wherein the initial magnetic attraction is not sufficient for the snap fit, and the at least one female flange member and the additional female flange member are separated by the slot, such that that a snap fit between the male member and the two female flange members of the female member occurs through the slot.
 4. The clothing fastener of claim 1, wherein the initial magnetic attraction is not sufficient for the snap fit, the at least one female flange member is a singular flange member and includes a slot, such that a snap fit between the male member and the at least one female flange member of the female member occurs through the slot.
 5. The clothing fastener of claim 1, wherein the outer socket member is coupled to the female member by a socket portion.
 6. The clothing fastener of claim 1, wherein the outer socket member is coupled directly to the female member.
 7. The clothing fastener of claim 1, wherein the outer stud member is coupled to the male member by a stud portion.
 8. The clothing fastener of claim 1, wherein the outer stud member is coupled to the male member directly.
 9. The clothing fastener of claim 1, wherein both the outer stud member and the outer socket member are coupled to the respective male and female members by a stud portion and a socket portion.
 10. The clothing fastener of claim 1, wherein the outer socket base portion includes an ornament.
 11. The clothing fastener of claim 1, wherein the outer socket base portion includes a rimmed decorative element in an exterior portion of the outer socket base portion.
 12. The clothing fastener of claim 1, wherein the outer socket base portion includes a rimmed decorative element in an interior portion of the outer socket base portion.
 13. The clothing fastener of claim 1, wherein the outer stud base portion includes an ornament.
 14. The clothing fastener of claim 1, wherein the outer stud base portion includes a rimmed decorative element in an exterior portion of the outer stud base portion.
 15. The clothing fastener of claim 1, wherein the outer stud base portion include a rimmed decorative element in an interior portion of the outer stud base portion.
 16. The clothing fastener of claim 1, wherein the clothing fastener is a cuff-link.
 17. The clothing fastener of claim 1, wherein the initial magnetic attraction between the socket magnetic element and the stud magnetic element is not sufficient to allow the male flange member and the at least one female flange member to be coupled together.
 18. A clothing fastener comprising: a socket comprising: a female member having at least one female flange member and a slot; and an outer socket member coupled to the at least one female member, and the outer socket member includes an outer socket base portion; and a stud comprising: a male member having a male flange member disposed on the male member; and an outer stud member coupled to the male member, the outer stud member including an outer stud base portion, wherein one of the at least one female flange member or the male flange member includes at least one magnetic element, and the other of the male flange member and the at least one female flange member being of a metallic material, wherein an initial magnetic attraction between the at least one female flange member and the male member draws the female and male members in close proximity such that an applied force on either the outer socket member or the outer stud member and a corresponding outer base portion allows for a snap fit between the male member and the at least one female flange member of the female member through the slot.
 19. The clothing fastener of claim 18, wherein the outer socket member is coupled directly to the female member.
 20. The clothing fastener of claim 18, wherein either the outer socket base portion or the outer stud base portion or both includes an ornament.
 21. The clothing fastener of claim 18, wherein the outer socket base portion includes a rimmed decorative element in an exterior portion of the outer socket base portion.
 22. The clothing fastener of claim 18, wherein the outer stud base portion includes a rimmed decorative element in an exterior portion of the outer stud base portion.
 23. The clothing fastener of claim 18, wherein the at least one female flange member includes a magnetic element.
 24. The clothing fastener of claim 18, wherein the male flange member includes a magnetic element.
 25. The clothing fastener of claim 18, wherein the clothing fastener is a cuff-link.
 26. The clothing fastener of claim 18, wherein the initial magnetic attraction between the at least one female flange member and the male flange member is not sufficient to allow the male member and the at least one female flange member of the female member to be coupled together. 